Calm returned to the Red Sea town of Sharm el-Sheikh this afternoon following the announcement by the President of the Court presiding over the historic trial of toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his regime cohorts that the former president will be transferred to the International Medical Center on Ismailia Road. Experts in the tourism sector described the departure of the former president the “Kiss of Life” for tourism in Sharm el-Sheikh. They also predict a 10 to 15 percent spike in tourism in the coming weeks, particularly from the Italian and Russian markets. The departure of Mubarak from Sharm el-Sheikh will likely spell a return to pre-January 25 Revolution tourism rates, since tourists are now comforted by the stable security situation in the resort town, said Ahmed Balbaa, chairman of the Tourism Business Association, agreeing with an investor in the hotel sector. Tourists were earlier reluctant to travel to the lower Sinai coastal town, fearing demonstrations and possible violence and unrest among the citizenry in Sharm. Hotel rates will likely remain low to continue to attract tourists, added Balbaa. Provided there is a return to stability, security and the continuation of trials for former regime officials, tourists will once again begin flocking to Egypt in October, said Samy Mahmoud, president of the international tourism sector body promoting tourism. Any demonstrations accompanied by violence or rioting will negatively impact tourism, Mahmoud said. Tour operators in Russia are eager to return to pre-revolution tourism rates, said Mahmoud. The eyes of the world are on Egypt, said Mahmoud, underlining the significant role of the media in explaining the transitional steps Egypt is making to improve its global image. President of the Chamber of Tourist Facilities in Sharm el-Sheikh Sameh Abdel Wahid expects a 30 percent increase in the flow of tourists entering the city. The former president's public trial should put an end to the continued demonstrations in Tahrir Sqaure, said Mohammed Al-Qattan, chairman of the Chamber of Touristic Shops and Goods. The trial will bring the stability needed for an increased, sustained level of tourism.
